Pinellas County business brief for April 5

For its U.S. 19 redevelopment plan, Clearwater's Planning and Development department received the 2012 One Bay Award and the Future of the Region Award from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. The award was given March 25 during the 21st annual Future of the Regions Awards at the Hilton Carillon Park, St. Petersburg.

The department received the One Bay Award for its U.S. 19 Corridor Redevelopment Plan, a document that summarizes the current corridor and sets forth strategies to strengthen the identity, design, mobility and competitiveness of the corridor in the region. The project was funded through the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, and builds on strategies contained in the Clearwater Greenprint.

The One Bay Award is an overall award of distinction that recognizes one project submitted in any of the six Future of the Region award categories and exemplifies the One Bay Regional Vision, a shared plan in which future population and employment growth should occur based upon responsible land use, mobility, economic and environmental sustainabilty.

The Planning and Development department also earned a Future of the Region Award, placing first in the Development/Infrastructure category. The award recognizes achievements in resource planning and management in the Tampa Bay area.

"We're very proud of this remarkable achievement," said Michael Delk, director of Planning and Development for the city. "This project, once implemented, will help to promote new economic growth and job opportunity along the U.S. 19 corridor and to Tampa Bay. We look forward to continuing to engage with the community and our stakeholders along this vital transportation route."

The goal of the U.S. 19 redevelopment plan is to strengthen the identity, design, mobility and competitiveness of the corridor. The city and a consultant team worked with stakeholders along the route to define land use and development strategies.

The Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research and Education Foundation was established in 1996. In 2006, the foundation began an effort to develop a shared regional vision, now known as One Bay, that explores issues critical to the region's future and addresses them.

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Rampart Properties Inc. has sent out congratulations to four of its communities named as finalists in the 2013 Florida Communities of Excellence Awards, which took place April 5 at the St. Petersburg Hilton.

The Florida Communities of Excellence Award has recognized dozens of outstanding communities throughout Florida since its founding in 2008. The award is a recognition program for community associations in the state.

Associations are separated into two size classes as they compete in 10 award categories.

Four bay area Rampart Properties Inc. communities were nominated for awards, including Pointe Alexis in Tarpon Springs, which is a finalist in three categories: Florida-friendly Landscaping, Energy and Water Conservation, and Family-friendly Programs and Initiatives.

"From using Florida-friendly landscaping to preparing a disaster plan, these board members have gone above and beyond to make sure their homeowners enjoy every day in their communities," said Rampart president and CEO Patti Dubuque. "We congratulate them on this nomination."

Rampart Properties Inc. was formed in 1975 to provide professional community association management and consulting services to condominium associations, homeowner associations, cooperatives and developers in the Tampa Bay area.

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